A. Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE)
Arterial gas embolism involves gas entering the arterial circulation with embolism to distal capillaries, resulting in ischaemia. Embolization to the coronary and cerebral arteries can lead to arrhythmia or cardiac and cerebral ischemia with significant organ damage. Paradoxical Arterial Gas Embolism can be due to Gas entering arterial circulation through an intracardiac right-to-left shunt
B. Venous Gas Embolism (VGE)
Venous gas embolism involves gas entering the venous circulation with gas passing into the right atrium, then into the right ventricle and onwards to the lungs where some or all of it can be filtered. Large amounts of gas over a short period can lead to catastrophic right-sided cardiac failure and cardiovascular arrest.
C. Retrograde Cerebral Venous Gas Embolism (RCVGE)
Buoyancy of gas in the venous system can cause gas bubbles to migrate upwards into the cerebral venous system where the neurological effect depends on which area of the brain is affected.
